After coming up short a year ago, Mackinzy Wall wasn’t going to let history repeat itself. 

In her first attempt at this year’s state meet, Manitou Springs’ Wall broke the 3A discus state meet record with a personal best and state-leading throw of 147 feet, 9 inches to win her first Colorado High School Activities Association state title. The accomplishment came after finishing runner-up in the same event last season. 

“She has a big drive,” Jill Wall, her mother, said. “You can’t tell that girl no. She’s going to make it happen.”

The previous record was 143 feet, 9 inches, set by The Classical Academy’s Hannah Carr in 2014. Wall’s first throw was enough to win the event, but her final throw of 134 feet, 7 inches was still more than 10 feet better than Peak to Peak’s Riley Watson, who placed second. 

Wall’s performance at Jeffco Stadium came from a year of hard work, guidance from her coach, Mel Herl, and from leaning into her faith. 

“Faith is really built into it. It’s for Him, not for me,” Wall said. “God has impacted me so much as a person and has been with me throughout the season.”

The Gazette Preps Peak Performer of the Year finished fifth in shot put at this year’s state meet with a throw of 35 feet, 1 inch, a significant improvement after not competing in the event at state last season.  

Taking the discus state meet record was a surprise for Wall, whose only goal was to win the state title. It was an exciting moment for the senior and the crowd of Manitou Springs supporters. But she remained focused for the rest of the competition. 

“Her work ethic and mindset were the two biggest things this season,” Mustangs’ head coach Anna Mack said. “I really saw her get focused this year on the things she wanted to achieve. Placing second at state last year, she really wanted to be at the top of the podium and worked hard to make that happen.”

Wall’s discus mark is also a school record, which she originally broke last season and continued to improve throughout the season. The former Mustang record holder from 2008, Whitney Frase, was present at the state meet to support Wall’s achievements. 

Among the people supporting Wall in Lakewood was Herl, who has been instrumental in the seniors’ success the past two years. Herl was a standout thrower and NCAA champion at Division II college Chadron State and was recently inducted into the USTFCCA Hall of Fame. 

“She has helped with form and taught me why we even do this, which is to become a better person,” Wall said of Herl. “She has helped me grow as a person, whether it’s meet mindset or helping with emotion. She supports me in and outside of track.” 

Wall will continue her throwing career with the Division-I program at Grand Canyon University, a faith-based university in Arizona. Besides her name on the record board, Wall’s impact at Manitou Springs includes serving as a team captain, where she set an example of discipline and positivity. 

“I want people to know you can be whoever you want,” Wall said. “A really big thing for my freshman year was to break the stereotype of throwers. Getting to know other throwers improved me as a person, and changed my perspective on what the point is.”

Although she is proud of her ability to come back and win the state title, Wall is most proud of the relationship she built with God.

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without faith in God,” Wall said. “I didn’t know him going into high school, but I’m coming out with a great relationship. Going into junior year with a different mindset changed a lot. Accepting him as Lord and Savior changed who I was for the better.”